A celebration of innovation: Reasons to enter the NutraIngredients USA Awards
Entries for the awards are welcome across 16 categories, covering ingredients, finished products, companies and initiatives in the nutrition and food supplements industry.
Pre, pro & postbiotics
The Vitamin Shoppe president talks big trends and growth areas
2025 was a breakout year for creatine, but the ingredient has been a headliner for The Vitamin Shoppe for longer. The retail giant anticipated its transformation from gym niche to mainstream star several years ago. It is now predicting similar explosive...
Microbial intake may be a missing piece in modern diets
Dietary guidelines should factor in not just nutrients and vitamins but also the intake of live microorganisms, according to emerging evidence.
Athlete gut health: Research spotlights microbiota modulation by protein source
Researchers observed differential responses of bacterial groups to plant and animal protein supplements in professional footballers, highlighting the importance of personalized recommendations.
Could 2026 be the biggest year for dietary supplements since the introduction of GMPs?
With moves to close the self-GRAS “loophole”, plans to finally finalize the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) guidance and talk of modernizing dietary supplement regulations, 2026 could be the biggest year since GMPs were introduced, says industry lawyer Ivan...
Culture shift: Could omics advances unlock the full potential of fermented foods?
Fermented foods have been part of the human diet for at least 10,000 years, but researchers are only just starting to understand the microbiomes found in these foods and their impact on health.
Biotic yogurt consumption by overweight mothers may prevent excessive weight gain in children
Overweight or obese mothers who consume biotic yogurt may prevent excessive weight gain in their offspring, according to a new study.
How A.I. is accelerating probiotic R&D processes
Machine learning and robotics could accelerate a two-year probiotic development process to four to five months, with a recent presentation at the IPA World Congress + Probiota highlighting the potential of this disruptive technology for strain optimization.
Are the rules governing probiotics still built for a pre-microbiome era?
Europe is taking a cautious approach as it reassesses how probiotics and the microbiome should be addressed within food and health regulation, attendees heard at the recent IPA World Congress + IPA 2026 event.
The gut health restore diet: Opportunities and challenges
Microbiome research reveals our ability to undo the damage of industrialized diets and shift health markers away from chronic disease risk within just a few weeks.
World Customs Organization formally recognizes dietary supplements as a standalone category
Dietary supplements are set to be formally recognized as a distinct category in global trade for the first time, following a recent update to the Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization.
Trend tracking: Euromonitor outlines drivers accelerating the biotic boom
Probiotics are outperforming huge markets such as beauty and clothing as consumers increasingly prioritize health and wellness, according to Euromonitor’s Nick Stene.
What’s next for psychobiotics? Precision nutrition and the future of mental health research
The emerging field of psychobiotics must shift to precise, mechanism-driven interventions if it is to deliver meaningful clinical impact, according to Dr. Gerard Clarke, professor of neurobehavioral science at University College Cork.
February NPD launchpad: Gummies and hormone support top the charts
This month’s launches include a significant brand evolution, targeted gummies and a flurry of formulations designed to support women through hormonal disruption.
Early BioGaia probiotic use linked to gut comfort at age 10
New data reveals a significant correlation between supplementation with L. reuteri DSM 17938 during the first three months of life and lower abdominal pain at age 10.
Probiotics and fiber fuel gut health category growth at Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett is seeing strong growth in the UK gut health market, driven by women’s and children’s probiotics, functional drinks, and fiber supplements, category director Jessica Pasco told the audience at the recent IPA World Conrgess + Probiota 2026.
Multi-strain bifidobacterium blend could support frequent-flyer health needs
Probiotic supplementation may improve gut stability, sleep, fatigue, emotional well-being, immune defense and microbial function during short-term international travel, according to a new study.
February Launch Pad: From men’s health to pregnancy, starting in the gut
Microbiome-driven innovation dominates the latest launches, from prebiotic fibers and next-gen probiotics to L-glutamine, but brands are also expanding into targeted solutions for cognition, stress, hydration and metabolic support.
Probiota Pioneer Microvitality gives researchers access to upper GI analysis
Zoe Watson, co-founder and CEO of Microvitality, joined NutraIngredients’ Probiota conference in Dublin to discuss the importance of small intestine testing.
Supplements industry leading the charge on decentralized trials
The supplements industry has been a trailblazer in its adoption of health tech and decentralized clinical trials to advance scientific backing of commercial products.
Dig deep: Why the answer to human aging research could be found in the soil
Studying Caenorhabditis elegans avoids ethical hurdles and maintains biological relevance to humans, offering great opportunities to advance aging research, according to an expert speaker at IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026.
Centre for Nutraceuticals aims to be ‘global voice’ for the industry
The University of Westminster officially launched its expanded Centre for Nutraceuticals this month, now with a first-of-its-kind tailored capsule machine for personalized nutrition research.
Vitaquest doubles probiotic capacity with New Jersey facility
The expansion of the Parsippany site integrates advanced upstream processing to stabilise live cultures alongside functional ingredients for complex, multi-benefit supplement products.
Non-GM strain optimization: Lessons from a brewing giant
Carlsberg scientists have developed non-GM strain optimizing technology with the potential to discover superior probiotic strains at speed.
Expo West 2026 supplement preview: What’s happening on the show floor
Thousands of exhibitors across the natural products spectrum will descend on the Anaheim Convention Center for the 45th annual Expo West trade between March 3 and March 6.
NutraCast: The rise of personalized menopausal care in the supplement industry with SEASON34
When CEO Irene Rojas Stanbury could not find relief for her own perimenopausal symptoms, she decided to create the solution herself. Teaming up with her mother, Dr. Maria Stanbury, a gynecologist with over 30 years of experience, they developed SEASON34,...
Metagenics expands UK presence with Symprove buyout
The company adds Symprove to its portfolio, with the probiotic developer described as the leader in its segment and the brand most recommended by UK healthcare practitioners.
Elénzia launches NPD targeting gut barrier mucosal support
Elénzia FIX is a gut health supplement marketed as “targeted mucosal support” to repair and protect the gut barrier, reflecting a growing interest in gut barrier integrity and postbiotics as alternatives to probiotics.
Zinzino bolsters US presence with $30M It Works! merger
Swedish health tech firm ZinoZino and US-based health and wellness platform It Works! have combined expertise to provide tailored supplements internationally.
Prebiotic may improve gut and body composition for overweight prediabetics: RCT
Dietary supplementation with prebiotic short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) may produce modest improvements in body composition without restricting calorie intakes, says a new study from France.
Daily synbiotic promotes post-antibiotic microbiome recovery, study suggests
New research suggests Seed Health’s multi-species synbiotic accelerates the restoration of microbial diversity and enhances gut barrier integrity following antibiotic exposure.
HealthBiome races ahead of competitors with approval of postbiotic in Korea and US
South Korean firm HealthBiome Inc’s proprietary postbiotic ingredient has obtained regulatory validation both domestically and by the US FDA, which it says sets itself far ahead of competitors and enables premiumization in both B2B and B2C markets.
The IPA World Congress + Probiota: One week to go!
The highlight of the microbiome health industry calendar, this year’s Probiota conference (Feb. 11-13) will provide its unrivalled mix of world-leading expert presentations, inspiring roundtables, innovative pioneers and unmissable networking opportunities.
Denps taps into ‘wellness window’ in Singapore, eyes further expansion across SEA
Danish supplements brand Denps is looking to leverage Singapore’s premium market environment as a strategic launchpad for the South East Asian region.
South Korea re-evaluating turmeric, green coffee bean due to adverse reports
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is re-evaluating the safety and functionality of turmeric extract and eight other functional ingredients.
Building a product that the gut-health-literate consumer will buy
Midlife is emerging as a crucial “protective window” for gut health, as consumers increasingly seek science-backed solutions to maintain microbiome diversity and overall wellbeing, according to a gut health expert.
Longevity ingredients under the EU regulatory spotlight
When a health trend takes off, the nimble nutrition industry is adept at creating and marketing new products that fit consumers’ emerging demands. But with this can come a tendency to overlook the regulatory status of burgeoning ingredients.
EFSA’s QPS update opens opportunities for microbial innovation
EFSA has published its scientific opinion on the safety of several microorganisms, confirming new microbes eligible for streamlined safety assessments.
Getting inside Gen Z’s head: Global data spotlights stress and sleep struggles
Stress and sleep are the top priorities for the next generation of consumers, and they have a growing appetite for supplements that can support them, according to latest market insights.
Targeted nutrition strategies may improve gut health and performance in female athletes
Omega-3s, magnesium and polyphenol-rich foods may aid digestion in female athletes, according to insights from a recent webinar hosted by Sport Ireland Institute.
Jan 2026 Launchpad: Creatine, collagen, iron and probiotic NPD put women center stage
New product launches in January 2026 suggest women’s health is front of mind for formulators across the industry, with NPD focused on beauty, pregnancy and everyday energy.
CBD–probiotic emulsion shows potential to modulate gut microbiome
A combined CBD–probiotic double emulsion gel shows promise in modulating the gut microbiome in a new in-vitro study published in the journal Nutrients.
Study: Lactobacillus acidophilus may support sexual function and QoL in menopause
Daily probiotic supplementation improved sexual health and quality of life for menopausal women experiencing sexual dysfunction, according to new research.
The microbial crisis of modern infancy: Bifidobacterium loss reshapes children’s immune health from birth
The widespread loss of critical, evolutionarily important microbes is the “defining issue for modern infancy,” according to Stephanie Culler, PhD, CEO of Persephone Biosciences.
IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026: Fermented foods, microbiome diets and psychobiotics
Taking place in Dublin next month, NutraIngredients’ Probiota conference will bring three days of expert academic and industry insights as well as unmissable networking opportunities, finishing with a focus on microbiome diets and the gut-brain axis.
GABA-producing probiotic may improve sleep measures for 77% of users: RCT
Daily supplementation with a specific probiotic that produces the neurotransmitter GABA improved sleep for 77% of participants taking the strain, with 100% of women experiencing the benefits, says a new study using Verb Biotics’ Lp815.
Beyond basic biotics: Gut health ingredients set for success in 2026
Driven by growing consumer awareness and evolving scientific research, gut health innovation is accelerating, with new approaches and solutions reshaping how products support digestive well-being.
Fruit and vegetable fiber blend exhibits strong and gentle prebiotic effect
A combination of fibers from organic fruit and vegetables may have a “greater and gentler prebiotic effect compared with established purified prebiotic fibers,” says a new study using Futureceuticals’ NatureKnit Organic ingredient.